SUPPORT SYSTEM AND SUPPORT METHOD

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a bypass continuation of International Application PCT/JP2023/047348, filed Dec. 28, 2023, which claims priority to Japanese patent application 2023-000693, filed Jan. 5, 2023, the entire contents of each of which being incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a support system and a support method.

BACKGROUND ART

A method is desired for selecting an optimal refrigerant system when a refrigerant system installed in a building and to which an air conditioner and a refrigerant pipe belong is updated. Patent Literature 1 (JP H08-94150 A) discloses, as a system in which an air conditioner belonging to a refrigerant system is selected, a system in which a heat load for cooling and heating of each room in which an air conditioner is installed is calculated based on data related to the air conditioning design of a building, and an air conditioner to be installed in each room is selected based on the calculation result.

While this may ensure that the selected equipment has sufficient capacity for the thermal load, there is still a need to ensure that a refrigerant system complies with modern safety standards with respect to a maximum allowable refrigerant charge.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure addresses the foregoing and other technical problems by providing a support system with a specifically programmed control unit that improves the functioning of the computer itself. By integrating system information, component specifications, and safety standards, the system transforms a general-purpose computer into a specialized design and optimization tool for refrigerant system updates.

A support system of a first aspect supports update of a refrigerant system to which an outdoor unit, an indoor unit, and a refrigerant pipe connecting the outdoor unit and the indoor unit belong. The support system includes a control unit. The control unit performs the following processing.

A first amount, which is an amount of refrigerant charged in a refrigerant system after update, is calculated based on information related to at least one of the outdoor unit, the indoor unit, and the refrigerant pipe belonging to a refrigerant system before update.

A second amount, which is the maximum allowable amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system after update or the maximum amount of refrigerant allowed to be retained in a room when the refrigerant leaks into the room from the indoor unit and the refrigerant pipe belonging to the refrigerant system after update, is acquired.

Update of a refrigerant system is supported by presenting, as information related to the refrigerant system after update, information related to a refrigerant system in which the calculated first amount does not exceed the acquired second amount.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an air conditioning system 50.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a support system 100.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing of a control unit 12 of an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a specific example of division of a refrigerant system of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a specific example of change of the refrigerant system of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a support system 100 of modification A.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a specific example of division of a refrigerant system of modification C.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a specific example of change of a refrigerant system of modification D.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(1) Overall Configuration

A support system 100 of the present embodiment is a system for supporting update of a refrigerant system. The update of a refrigerant system is the work of replacing a refrigerant system existing in a building with a new one. For example, supporting the update of a refrigerant system is presenting information related to the refrigerant system after update selected based on a predetermined condition to a person, or presenting candidates for the refrigerant system after update to a person for the person to select the refrigerant system after update. For example, the predetermined condition is a safety standard requirement based on a law or the like.

The refrigerant system means the configuration of a refrigeration system. In the present embodiment, the refrigeration system is an air conditioning system 50 in which a plurality of outdoor units 51 and a plurality of indoor units 52 are connected via a refrigerant pipe 53. In this case, the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50 includes a connection state related to which outdoor unit 51 and which indoor unit 52 each refrigerant pipe 53 connects. In the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50, one outdoor unit 51 is connected to one or a plurality of indoor units 52 via the refrigerant pipe 53. Further, the refrigerant system includes device information related to the devices configuring the refrigeration system. For example, the device information includes the model and capacity of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to the refrigerant system, and the diameter and length of the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the air conditioning system 50 is installed in a property 1 having a plurality of rooms 3. The property 1 is a building such as an office building. The air conditioning system 50 having a plurality of refrigerant systems is installed in the property 1. Each refrigerant system is a package-type air conditioner including one outdoor unit 51 and a plurality of indoor units 52. The outdoor unit 51 is an air conditioning unit including a compressor, a heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, a fan, and the like. The outdoor unit 51 is installed outside the property 1. The indoor unit 52 is an air conditioning unit including a heat exchanger, a fan, and the like. The indoor unit 52 is installed in the room 3 in the property 1. The room 3 is a space to be the target of air-conditioning by the air conditioning system 50. One or a plurality of indoor units 52 is installed in one room 3. The outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 constitute a refrigerant circuit by being connected by the refrigerant pipe 53. A refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circuit. When the air conditioning system 50 includes a plurality of refrigerant systems, the refrigerant circuits of the respective refrigerant systems are independent of each other.

The support system 100 is used to support the update of a refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50 installed in the property 1. For example, a person in charge of construction work of the property 1 performs construction of updating the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50 installed in the property 1 based on the information related to the refrigerant system after update presented by the support system 100. In this case, the person in charge of construction work changes the connection state of the refrigerant system or changes the devices belonging to the refrigerant system.

Further, for example, a person in charge of construction of the property 1 selects one refrigerant system based on a predetermined criterion from among a plurality of candidates for the refrigerant system after update presented by the support system 100, and performs construction of updating the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50 installed in the property 1 based on the selected refrigerant system. In this case, based on the selected refrigerant system, the person in charge of construction connects the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 by the refrigerant pipe 53 and selects the outdoor unit 51, the indoor unit 52, and the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the support system 100. The support system 100 mainly includes a computer 10 and an external input device 20. The person in charge of construction of the property 1 can input information related to a predetermined safety standard requirement by using the computer 10 and the external input device 20.

The computer 10 mainly includes a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, a storage unit 13, an output unit 14, and an input unit 15. For example, the computer 10 is a laptop personal computer.

The communication unit 11 is an interface for a communication network and an external device. For example, the communication unit 11 is a network interface for connecting the computer 10 to a communication network such as the Internet, and a general-purpose interface for connecting the computer 10 to an external device such as a printer.

The control unit 12 is mainly configured of a central processing unit (CPU) or processor. The control unit 12 executes a calculation unit 12a, a first acquisition unit 12b, a first determination unit 12f, and a support unit 12c. These units correspond to functions realized by a program executed by the control unit 12. As used herein, the control unit 12 and constituent units therein refers to circuitry that may be configured via the execution of computer readable instructions, and the circuitry may include one or more local processors (e.g., CPU's), and/or one or more remote processors, such as a cloud computing resource, or any combination thereof.

The storage unit 13 is mainly configured of a storage device such as a RAM, an HDD, an SSD, and other types of memory. The storage unit 13 stores a program executed by the control unit 12, data used by the program, and the like. The storage unit 13 stores charged refrigerant amount information 13a, allowable refrigerant amount information 13b, and support information 13c.

The output unit 14 is an output device of the computer 10, such as a display and a printer. On the display that is the output unit 14, for example, an interface for starting processing of a program executed by the control unit 12, a processing result of the program executed by the control unit 12, and the like are displayed.

The input unit 15 is an input device of the computer 10, such as a keyboard and a mouse. A user of the support system 100 who is a person in charge of construction work of the property 1, a person in charge of construction, or the like can input, by operating the input unit 15, information necessary for processing executed by the support system 100.

For example, the output unit 14 and the input unit 15 may be integrally configured as a display with a touch panel function and a speaker function.

For example, the external input device 20 is a camera and an image scanner. The external input device 20 is connected to the communication unit 11 of the computer 10. The external input device 20 can transmit data to the computer 10 via the communication unit 11.

(2) Detailed Configuration of Control Unit 12

In the following description, when the air conditioning system 50 includes a plurality of refrigerant systems, the control unit 12 executes processing for each refrigerant system. Next, details of each function of the control unit 12 and processing executed by the control unit 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.

(2-1) Calculation Unit 12a

The calculation unit 12a calculates a charged refrigerant amount (first amount), which is the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system after update, based on the system information of the refrigerant system before update of the air conditioning system 50 (step S1 in FIG. 3). The charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a is the amount of refrigerant required for the refrigerant system after update, and is the amount of refrigerant that can be theoretically charged in the refrigerant system after update. The charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a is saved in the storage unit 13 as the charged refrigerant amount information 13a. The charged refrigerant amount is calculated and stored in kilograms.

The system information of the refrigerant system is information related to at least one of the outdoor unit 51, the indoor unit 52, and the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system. The system information includes the capacity and specifications of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52, the number of indoor units 52, and the dimensions (length and diameter) of the refrigerant pipe 53. For example, the specifications of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 are the volume of the compressor of the outdoor unit 51 and the volumes of the refrigerant flow paths of the heat exchangers of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52. Alternatively, the specifications of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 may be a refrigerant charging amount that is set in advance for each model of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 instead of the volumes. The system information further includes information related to which outdoor unit 51 and which indoor unit 52 each refrigerant pipe 53 connects, the capacity of the room 3 in which each indoor unit 52 is installed, and information related to the position and orientation of the indoor unit 52 installed in each room 3.

The system information of the refrigerant system before update is stored in the storage unit 13 in advance. The system information may be stored in advance by being input by the user of the support system 100 via the input unit 15 and saved in the storage unit 13. The system information is stored in advance by being acquired by the control unit 12 based on predetermined data and saved in the storage unit 13. For example, the control unit 12 may acquire the length of the refrigerant pipe 53 included in the system information based on drawing data including information related to the installation position of the refrigerant pipe 53 in the property 1.

The storage unit 13 further stores, in advance, update information used to determine the refrigerant system after update. For example, the update information is information related to the outdoor unit 51, the indoor unit 52, and the refrigerant pipe 53 that can be used in the refrigerant system after update.

The calculation unit 12a calculates the same amount as the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update as the charged refrigerant amount. In this case, the calculation unit 12a calculates the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update based on the system information of the refrigerant system before update stored in the storage unit 13, and adopts the calculated amount as the charged refrigerant amount.

The calculation unit 12a may calculate the charged refrigerant amount by using the update information stored in the storage unit 13. In this case, the calculation unit 12a uses the update information and determines a temporary refrigerant system charged with the same amount of refrigerant as the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update, and calculates the amount of refrigerant charged in the temporary refrigerant system as the charged refrigerant amount.

The calculation unit 12a may calculate, as the charged refrigerant amount, an amount smaller by a predetermined amount than the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update. In this case, the calculation unit 12a uses the update information and determines a temporary refrigerant system charged with a smaller amount of refrigerant than the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update, and calculates the amount of refrigerant charged in the temporary refrigerant system as the charged refrigerant amount. For example, the amount smaller than the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update is acquired by the calculation unit 12a based on the target value of charged refrigerant amount stored in the storage unit 13. For example, the target value of charged refrigerant amount is input by the user of the support system 100 via the input unit 15 and stored in the storage unit 13.

In this way, the calculation unit 12a calculates a charged refrigerant amount, which is the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system after update, based on the system information of the refrigerant system before update.

In the following description, it is assumed that the calculation unit 12a initially calculates the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update as the charged refrigerant amount without using the update information.

(2-2) First Acquisition Unit 12b

The first acquisition unit 12b acquires an allowable refrigerant amount (second amount), which is the maximum allowable amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system after update of the air conditioning system 50. The first acquisition unit 12b acquires the allowable refrigerant amount after the calculation unit 12a calculates the charged refrigerant amount (step S2 in FIG. 3). The allowable refrigerant amount acquired by the first acquisition unit 12b is the maximum value of the amount of refrigerant that can be used by the refrigerant system after update. The first acquisition unit 12b acquires the allowable refrigerant amount, based on the allowable refrigerant amount information 13b stored in the storage unit 13. The allowable refrigerant amount is calculated and stored in kilograms.

The allowable refrigerant amount is stored in advance in the storage unit 13 as the allowable refrigerant amount information 13b. The allowable refrigerant amount information 13b may be stored in advance by being input by the user of the support system 100 via the input unit 15 and saved in the storage unit 13.

The allowable refrigerant amount is set based on the predetermined safety standard requirement. For example, the allowable refrigerant amount is the maximum refrigerant amount defined by ISO 5149, which is an international standard for safe design, operation, and the like of refrigerating systems. Part 1 of ISO 5149 defines the maximum refrigerant amount, which is an upper limit value of the total amount of refrigerant that can be charged in one refrigerant system, for the purpose of taking appropriate safety measures in the event of refrigerant leakage. The maximum refrigerant amount (kg) defined in ISO 5149 is a value calculated by 195×LFL. LFL (kg/m³) is a lower flammability limit of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system. The lower flammability limit of refrigerant is a lower limit value of the concentration of refrigerant in a flammable range. In the flammable range, a mixture of refrigerant and air is flammable or ignitable. The LFL of a refrigerant is defined in ISO 817 according to the type of refrigerant based on the toxicity and flammability of the refrigerant. For example, since the LFL of R32 is 0.307 kg/m³ in dry condition (23° C., 50% RH), the maximum refrigerant amount of R32 is 59.8 kg. Therefore, the allowable refrigerant amount of the refrigerant system charged with R32 as the refrigerant is 59.8 kg.

The first acquisition unit 12b may acquire the allowable refrigerant amount of a refrigerant system after update based on the type of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system after update and the maximum refrigerant amount defined in ISO 5149.

(2-3) First Determination Unit 12f

The first determination unit 12f determines whether the update content of the refrigerant system needs to be reviewed based on the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a and the allowable refrigerant amount of the refrigerant system acquired by the first acquisition unit 12b. The update content of the refrigerant system includes information related to the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a.

To be specific, the first determination unit 12f determines whether the charged refrigerant amount exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount (step S3 in FIG. 3). When the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount, the first determination unit 12f determines that the update content of the refrigerant system needs to be reviewed such that a charged refrigerant amount that does not exceed the allowable refrigerant amount is calculated. In this case, the calculation unit 12a reviews the update content of the refrigerant system by recalculating the charged refrigerant amount by a method different from the previous method (step S1′ in FIG. 3). For example, the calculation unit 12a calculates, as the charged refrigerant amount, an amount of refrigerant that is a smaller amount than the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update, using the update information. The first determination unit 12f performs the same determination processing as the previous time after the calculation unit 12a recalculates the charged refrigerant amount and reviews the update content of the refrigerant system (step S3 in FIG. 3).

When the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a does not exceed the allowable refrigerant amount, the first determination unit 12f determines that the update of the refrigerant system can be supported based on the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a since it is not necessary to review the update content of the refrigerant system.

(2-4) Support Unit 12c

When the first determination unit 12f determines that the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a does not exceed the allowable refrigerant amount, the support unit 12c supports the update of the refrigerant system based on the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a and the allowable refrigerant amount acquired by the first acquisition unit 12b (step S4 in FIG. 3). The support unit 12c supports the update of the refrigerant system by presenting information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update. For example, the support unit 12c uses the update information stored in the storage unit 13 and determines the model, position, and number of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor units 52 belonging to the refrigerant system after update, and the position, number, and dimensions of the refrigerant pipes 53, and generates and presents information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update. The information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update presented by the support unit 12c is saved in the storage unit 13.

The support unit 12c presents information related to a refrigerant system in which the charged refrigerant amount does not exceed the allowable refrigerant amount as a candidate for the refrigerant system after update. A refrigerant system in which the charged refrigerant amount exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount does not satisfy the predetermined safety standard requirement based on the international standard, and is not presented by the support unit 12c as a candidate for the refrigerant system.

Further, the support unit 12c presents, as a candidate for the refrigerant system after update, a refrigerant system in which the charged refrigerant amount does not exceed the allowable refrigerant amount and which has at least a predetermined required capacity. The system information of the refrigerant system before update stored in advance in the storage unit 13 includes the capacity of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to the refrigerant system before update (capacity before update). The control unit 12 acquires the cooling and heating capacity of the refrigerant system before update based on the capacity before update stored in the storage unit 13 and determines the predetermined required capacity based on the cooling and heating capacity. For example, the control unit 12 determines the predetermined required capacity to be the same value as the cooling and heating capacity of the refrigerant system before update, or sets the predetermined required capacity to be a value lower than the cooling and heating capacity of the refrigerant system before update.

The support unit 12c presents information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update and supports the update of the refrigerant system by executing first support processing or second support processing described below. In particular, the support unit 12c supports the update of the refrigerant system by presenting information related to proposed post-update refrigerant system configurations. The user of the support system 100 selects a refrigerant system after update from among the candidates for the refrigerant system presented by the support unit 12c and updates the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50.

The support unit 12c may preferentially execute the first support processing over the second support processing. The support unit 12c may determine which processing of the first support processing and the second support processing is to be executed in consideration of the feasibility and cost of the first support processing and the second support processing.

Information obtained by the support unit 12c executing the first support processing or the second support processing is saved in the storage unit 13 as the support information 13c. The support unit 12c presents the support information 13c by outputting it via the output unit 14. The user of the support system 100 updates the refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50, based on the information presented by the support unit 12c. Next, specific examples of the first support processing and the second support processing will be described.

(2-4-1) First Support Processing

The support unit 12c that executes the first support processing presents, as the information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update, information necessary for the user of the support system 100 to replace, add, or remove a component of the refrigerant system at the time of update. The component of the refrigerant system is at least one of the outdoor unit 51, the indoor unit 52, and the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system.

The support unit 12c selects a component to be the target of replacement, addition, or removal at the time of update from among the components of the refrigerant system before update and a component to be the target of replacement or addition at the time of update from among the components of a candidate for the refrigerant system after update, based on the information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update. Thereafter, the support unit 12c presents information related to the selected component.

The support unit 12c may output a plurality of candidate refrigerant systems in descending order of a predetermined indicator value of refrigerant system. The indicator value is a parameter serving as a reference when the user of the support system 100 selects a refrigerant system. For example, the indicator value is a parameter that increases as the cost required for update of a refrigerant system decreases. The support unit 12c may select a refrigerant system of which the indicator value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and present the refrigerant system as a candidate for the refrigerant system. For example, the cost required for update of a refrigerant system is calculated by the control unit 12 from the system information of the refrigerant system.

Next, specific examples of processing in which the support unit 12c presents candidates for a refrigerant system in which at least a part of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 has been changed, and processing in which the support unit 12c presents candidates for a refrigerant system in which at least a part of the refrigerant pipe 53 has been changed, will be described. The support unit 12c executes at least one of these two kinds of processing.

(2-4-1-1) Presentation of Candidates for Refrigerant System in which Outdoor Unit and Indoor Unit have been Changed

The support unit 12c presents, as the information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update, candidates for a refrigerant system in which at least a part of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to the refrigerant system before update has been changed. For example, the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to a candidate refrigerant system are models that use less amount of refrigerant than the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to the refrigerant system before update. The support unit 12c acquires the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update based on the system information of the refrigerant system before update stored in the storage unit 13, and compares the amount with the allowable refrigerant amount. The support unit 12c acquires the refrigerant usage amount, based on the system information of the refrigerant system before update stored in the storage unit 13 and the system information of candidates for the refrigerant system after update.

The support unit 12c outputs information related to which of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor units 52 belonging to the refrigerant system before update should be changed, and information related to the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to the candidates for the refrigerant system after update. For example, the support unit 12c outputs the specifications of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to a candidate for the refrigerant system. The support unit 12c may further output the cost of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to a candidate for the refrigerant system, and the cost required for installation or replacement of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52. The support unit 12c acquires the information related to the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to the candidates for the refrigerant system after update, based on the system information of the refrigerant system after update stored in the storage unit 13.

(2-4-1-2) Presentation of Candidates for Refrigerant System in which Refrigerant Pipe has been Changed

The support unit 12c presents, as the information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update, candidates for a refrigerant system in which at least a part of the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system before update has been changed. For example, the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to a candidate refrigerant system has a smaller diameter than the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system before update. The support unit 12c acquires the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update based on the system information of the refrigerant system before update stored in the storage unit 13, and compares the amount with the allowable refrigerant amount. The support unit 12c acquires the diameter of the refrigerant pipe 53, based on the system information of the refrigerant system before update stored in the storage unit 13 and the system information of candidates for the refrigerant system after update.

The support unit 12c may present, as a candidate, a refrigerant system in which the distance between the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 to which the refrigerant pipe 53 is connected is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

Further, the support unit 12c calculates a pressure loss of the refrigerant pipe 53 when the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system before update is replaced with the refrigerant pipe 53 having a smaller diameter. Then, the support unit 12c may calculate how much the charged refrigerant amount of the refrigerant system can be reduced when the refrigerant pipe 53 is replaced with one with a smaller diameter under the condition that the pressure loss of the refrigerant pipe 53 is suppressed to a predetermined value or less.

The support unit 12c outputs information related to which of the refrigerant pipes 53 belonging to the refrigerant system before update should be changed, and information related to the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the candidates for the refrigerant system after update. For example, the support unit 12c outputs the diameter and length of the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to a candidate for the refrigerant system. The support unit 12c may further output the cost required for installation or replacement of the refrigerant pipe 53. The support unit 12c acquires the information related to the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the candidates for the refrigerant system after update, based on the system information of the candidates for the refrigerant system after update stored in the storage unit 13.

(2-4-2) Second Support Processing

The support unit 12c that executes the second support processing presents, as the information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update, information necessary for the user of the support system 100 to change the connection state of a refrigerant system. The connection state of a refrigerant system is information related to which outdoor unit 51 and which indoor unit 52 the refrigerant pipe 53 is connected to. Information related to the connection state of a refrigerant system is stored in the storage unit 13 as system information.

The support unit 12c presents information related to the connection state of a plurality of refrigerant systems after update, based on information related to one or a plurality of refrigerant systems before update. The support unit 12c presents the information related to the connection state of a plurality of refrigerant systems after update so that the performance of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to the plurality of refrigerant systems after update can be secured.

When any one refrigerant system before update is divided into a plurality of refrigerant systems, the support unit 12c presents information related to the connection state of the refrigerant system after update so that the indoor unit belonging to the refrigerant system before division belongs to any of the plurality of refrigerant systems after division.

The support unit 12c presents the information related to the connection state of the refrigerant system after update so that the indoor unit belonging to any of a plurality of refrigerant systems before update belongs to a different refrigerant system after the update.

The support unit 12c selects and presents candidates for the connection state of the refrigerant system after update. The user of the support system 100 selects the connection state of the refrigerant system after update from among the candidates for connection state presented by the support unit 12c.

Next, two specific examples of processing in which the support unit 12c presents candidates for the connection state of the refrigerant system after update will be described. The support unit 12c executes at least one of these two kinds of processing.

(2-4-2-1) Refrigerant System Division Processing

When the amount of refrigerant charged in a refrigerant system exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount, the refrigerant system is charged with an amount of refrigerant that does not satisfy the predetermined safety standard requirement. For example, the allowable refrigerant amount of R32 defined by ISO 5149 is 59.8 kg. Therefore, when a refrigerant system charged with R32 is charged with 65 kg of refrigerant, the support unit 12c determines that the refrigerant system needs to be divided since the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount. When the air conditioning system 50 includes a plurality of refrigerant systems, the support unit 12c determines, for each refrigerant system, whether the refrigerant system needs to be divided. Further, the support unit 12c may determine that a refrigerant system needs to be divided when the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system exceeds a value based on the allowable refrigerant amount. For example, the support unit 12c may determine that a refrigerant system needs to be divided when the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system exceeds 0.8 times the allowable refrigerant amount.

Next, a specific example of information presented by the support unit 12c when the support unit 12c determines that the refrigerant system before update needs to be divided will be described with reference to FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b).

In FIG. 4(a), one refrigerant system 61a before division is shown. In FIG. 4(b), two refrigerant systems 61b and 61c after division are shown. The refrigerant systems 61b and 61c are refrigerant systems obtained by dividing the refrigerant system 61a into two. When the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system 61a before division exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount, the support unit 12c determines that the refrigerant system 61a needs to be divided into a plurality of refrigerant systems. For example, the support unit 12c calculates how many parts the refrigerant system 61a needs to be divided into based on the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system 61a before division and the allowable refrigerant amount, and outputs the calculation result. For example, when the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system 61a before division is 0.9 times or more and less than 1.8 times the allowable refrigerant amount, the support unit 12c outputs the result indicating that the refrigerant system 61a needs to be divided into two. Further, when the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system 61a before division is 1.8 times or more and less than 2.7 times the allowable refrigerant amount, the support unit 12c outputs the result indicating that the refrigerant system 61a needs to be divided into three.

The support unit 12c presents a design plan of the refrigerant systems 61b and 61c after division. For example, the design plan of the refrigerant systems 61b and 61c is information related to which of the refrigerant systems 61b and 61c after division each indoor unit 52 belonging to the refrigerant system 61a before division belongs to. In this case, the support unit 12c calculates the amount of refrigerant charged in each of the refrigerant systems after division. Then, the support unit 12c acquires the connection state of a refrigerant system in which the amount of refrigerant charged in each refrigerant system after division is equal to or less than the allowable refrigerant amount, and presents the connection state as a design plan of the refrigerant systems 61b and 61c. The support unit 12c may output, as a design plan, block diagrams as shown in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b), which show the connection state of the refrigerant systems before and after division. The support unit 12c may further output information related to the cost required for division of the refrigerant system 61a.

The support unit 12c may present and output a plurality of design plans of the refrigerant systems 61b and 61c after division. In this case, the user of the support system 100 selects one design plan to be installed in the property 1 from the plurality of design plans presented by the support unit 12c.

The support unit 12c may output the plurality of design plans in descending order of the predetermined indicator value. The indicator value is a parameter serving as a reference when the user of the support system 100 selects a design plan. For example, the indicator value is a parameter that increases as the cost required for division of a refrigerant system decreases. The support unit 12c may automatically select a design plan having the highest indicator value and present the design plan as a candidate for design plan.

When a design plan for changing the connection state of a refrigerant system by dividing the refrigerant system into a plurality of refrigerant systems is presented, the support unit 12c may further determine whether the refrigerant systems after division need to be further divided. In this case, for example, the support unit 12c may further display a block diagram of refrigerant systems after re-division as a design plan on the display that is the output unit 14.

When a design plan for changing the connection state of a refrigerant system by dividing the refrigerant system into a plurality of refrigerant systems is presented, it is preferable that the support unit 12c presents a design plan in which the capacities of the refrigerant systems after division are substantially equal. In this case, the support unit 12c acquires, based on information related to the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 belonging to the refrigerant system before division, the capacity (horsepower) and the number of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor units 52 belonging to the refrigerant system to be divided. Based on these pieces of information, for example, the support unit 12c presents a design plan for changing the connection state of the refrigerant systems such that the refrigerant systems after division have approximately the same capacities.

(2-4-2-2) Refrigerant System Change Processing

When there is a plurality of refrigerant systems before update, the support unit 12c determines whether the amount of refrigerant charged in each refrigerant system exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount. When the amount of refrigerant charged in any of the refrigerant systems before update exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount, the support unit 12c determines that the refrigerant system needs to be changed. To be specific, the support unit 12c presents candidates for the connection state of the refrigerant system after update such that the indoor unit 52 belonging to the refrigerant system in which the amount of charged refrigerant exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount belongs to another refrigerant system.

Next, a specific example of information presented by the support unit 12c when the support unit 12c determines that the refrigerant system before update needs to be changed will be described with reference to FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b).

In FIG. 5(a), two refrigerant systems 62a and 62b before change are shown. In FIG. 5(b), two refrigerant systems 62c and 62d after change are shown. We assume that it is determined that the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system 62a before change exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount, and the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system 62b before change does not exceed the allowable refrigerant amount. In this case, the support unit 12c calculates temporary charged refrigerant amounts of the refrigerant systems 62a and 62b in a case where it is assumed that some of the indoor units 52 belonging to the refrigerant system 62a belong to the refrigerant system 62b. Then, the support unit 12c acquires temporary connection states of the refrigerant systems 62a and 62b in which the amount of charged refrigerant is equal to or less than the allowable refrigerant amount, and presents the connection states as a design plan of the refrigerant systems 62c and 62d after change. The support unit 12c may output, as a design plan, block diagrams as shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b), which show the connection state of the refrigerant systems before and after change. The support unit 12c may further output information related to the cost required for change of the refrigerant systems 62a and 62b.

The support unit 12c may present and output a plurality of design plans of the refrigerant systems 62c and 62d after change. In this case, the user of the support system 100 selects one design plan to be installed in the property 1 from the plurality of design plans presented by the support unit 12c.

The support unit 12c may output the plurality of design plans in descending order of the predetermined indicator value. The indicator value is a parameter serving as a reference when the user of the support system 100 selects a design plan. For example, the indicator value is a parameter that increases as the cost required for change of a refrigerant system decreases. The support unit 12c may automatically select a design plan having the highest indicator value and present the design plan as a candidate for design plan.

(3) Feature

(3-1)

The support system 100 supports update of a refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50 installed in the property 1. The support unit 12c of the support system 100 executes the first support processing or the second support processing and presents information related to candidates for the refrigerant system after update when the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system before update exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount.

The support unit 12c that executes the first support processing outputs, as a refrigerant system that satisfies the predetermined safety standard requirement, a candidate for a refrigerant system in which the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a does not exceed the allowable refrigerant amount acquired by the first acquisition unit 12b.

When, in the air conditioning system 50, there is a refrigerant system that does not satisfy the predetermined safety standard requirement since the amount of charged refrigerant exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount, the support unit 12c that executes the second support processing determines that the refrigerant system needs to be divided or changed, and outputs information related to candidates for a refrigerant system after division or change.

As a result, the user of the support system 100 can easily optimally design the refrigerant system after update in consideration of the regulation concerning the amount of refrigerant that can be enclosed in one refrigerant system.

(3-2)

In the support system 100, the support unit 12c displays, on the display that is the output unit 14, information related to a plurality of candidates for the refrigerant system after update that satisfies the predetermined safety standard requirement. The user of the support system 100 selects, from among the plurality of candidates displayed on the display, a refrigerant system with the lowest cost required for installation as one refrigerant system to be installed in the property 1. As a result, the user of the support system 100 can easily optimally design the refrigerant system after update in consideration of the regulation concerning the amount of refrigerant that can be enclosed in one refrigerant system.

(3-3)

In the support system 100, the support unit 12c that executes the first support processing presents, as the information related to candidates for the refrigerant system, information necessary for replacing, adding, or removing at least one of the outdoor unit 51, the indoor unit 52, and the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system at the time of update. The support unit 12c presents information related to a component to be the target of replacement, addition, or removal among the components of the refrigerant system before update and a component to be the target of replacement or addition among the components of a candidate for the refrigerant system after update.

For example, the support unit 12c displays the models of the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 before and after change on the display that is the output unit 14. The user of the support system 100 updates the refrigerant system by performing the work of replacing the outdoor unit 51 and the indoor unit 52 to be changed with a model having a smaller capacity based on the information displayed on the display.

For example, the support unit 12c displays the diameters of the refrigerant pipes 53 before change and after change on the display that is the output unit 14. The user of the support system 100 updates the refrigerant system by performing the work of replacing the refrigerant pipe 53 to be changed with the refrigerant pipe 53 having a smaller diameter based on the information displayed on the display.

As a result, the user of the support system 100 can reduce the charged refrigerant amount per system while maintaining the capacity of each refrigerant system after update in consideration of the regulation concerning the amount of refrigerant that can be enclosed in one refrigerant system.

(3-4)

In the support system 100, the support unit 12c that executes the second support processing presents, as the information related to candidates for the refrigerant system, information related to the connection state of refrigerant systems after division. The information related to the connection state of a refrigerant system includes information related to which outdoor unit 51 and which indoor unit 52 each refrigerant pipe 53 is connected to.

For example, the support unit 12c displays block diagrams as shown in FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b) on the display that is the output unit 14. The user of the support system 100 divides a refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50 and updates the refrigerant system by performing the work of changing the connection of the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system to be divided based on the information displayed on the display. As a result, the user of the support system 100 can reduce the charged refrigerant amount per system while maintaining the capacity of each refrigerant system after update in consideration of the regulation concerning the amount of refrigerant that can be enclosed in one refrigerant system.

(3-5)

In the support system 100, the support unit 12c that executes the second support processing presents, as the information related to candidates for the refrigerant system, information related to the connection state of a refrigerant system after change. The information related to the connection state of a refrigerant system includes information related to which outdoor unit 51 and which indoor unit 52 each refrigerant pipe 53 is connected to.

For example, the support unit 12c displays block diagrams as shown in FIG. 5(a) and FIG. 5(b) on the display that is the output unit 14. The user of the support system 100 changes a refrigerant system of the air conditioning system 50 and updates the refrigerant system by performing the work of changing the connection of the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system to be changed based on the information displayed on the display. As a result, the user of the support system 100 can reduce the charged refrigerant amount per system while maintaining the capacity of each refrigerant system after update in consideration of the regulation concerning the amount of refrigerant that can be enclosed in one refrigerant system.

(4) Modification

(4-1) Modification A

As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 12 of the support system 100 may further execute a second acquisition unit 12d and a second determination unit 12e.

The second acquisition unit 12d acquires a retention allowable amount (second amount). The retention allowable amount is the maximum amount of refrigerant that is allowed to be retained in a room when a refrigerant leaks into the room from the indoor unit 52 and the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to the refrigerant system after update. The retention allowable amount V is calculated and stored in kilograms.

The second determination unit 12e determines whether the update content of the refrigerant system needs to be reviewed based on the retention allowable amount acquired by the second acquisition unit 12d. The second determination unit 12e determines whether the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a exceeds the retention allowable amount. When the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a exceeds the retention allowable amount, the second determination unit 12e determines that the update content of the refrigerant system needs to be reviewed such that a charged refrigerant amount that does not exceed the retention allowable amount is calculated. In this case, the calculation unit 12a recalculates the charged refrigerant amount by a method different from the previous method. When the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a does not exceed the retention allowable amount, the second determination unit 12e determines that the update of the refrigerant system can be supported based on the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a since it is not necessary to review the update content of the refrigerant system.

When the second determination unit 12e determines that the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a does not exceed the retention allowable amount, the support unit 12c supports the update of the refrigerant system based on the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a and the retention allowable amount acquired by the second acquisition unit 12d. To be specific, the support unit 12c supports the update of the refrigerant system by presenting information necessary for at least one of division or change of a refrigerant system in which the refrigerant amount before update exceeds the retention allowable amount and installation of a safety device in the refrigerant system. For example, the safety device is a ventilation device for discharging a leaked refrigerant to the outside of the property 1 when the refrigerant leaks from the indoor unit 52 and the refrigerant pipe 53 installed in the room 3 of the property 1. For example, the safety device may be a sensor for detecting the leakage of refrigerant in the room 3. When the information necessary for division or change of a refrigerant system is presented, the support unit 12c performs the above-described second support processing. When the information necessary for installation of a safety device is presented, for example, the support unit 12c outputs information related to the safety device, information related to the installation position of the safety device, and information related to the cost required for installation of the safety device.

In the present modification, the user of the support system 100 can easily optimally design a refrigerant system that satisfies the predetermined safety standard requirement without dividing or changing the refrigerant system by installing a safety device in the refrigerant system.

Further, the support system 100 may output information that compares the cost required for dividing or changing a refrigerant system by the second support processing with the cost required for installing a safety device in the refrigerant system. In this case, the user of the support system 100 can change the refrigerant system by adopting either the division or change of the refrigerant system or the installation of the safety device, whichever is less expensive.

The support unit 12c may support the update of the refrigerant system based on the determination results of both the first determination unit 12f and the second determination unit 12e. To be specific, the support unit 12c may support the update of the refrigerant system when the first determination unit 12f determines that the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a does not exceed the allowable refrigerant amount and the second determination unit 12e determines that the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a does not exceed the retention allowable amount. In this case, when the first determination unit 12f or the second determination unit 12e determines that the charged refrigerant amount calculated by the calculation unit 12a exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount or the retention allowable amount, the update content of the refrigerant system is reviewed.

(4-2) Modification B

In modification A, the second acquisition unit 12d may calculate the retention allowable amount V of the room 3 based on the following formula (I).

V=k×L×h×S  (I)

In formula (I), variable k is a dimensionless value based on the flammability of a refrigerant used by the air conditioning system 50. For example, when the refrigerant is flammable, k is set to 0.25, and when the refrigerant is non-flammable, k is set to 0.50. For example, the flammable refrigerant is R32. For example, the non-flammable refrigerant is carbon dioxide. Variable k is saved in the storage unit 13 in advance.

In formula (I), variable L is the lower flammability limit of the refrigerant used by the air conditioning system 50. Variable L is a dimensionless value. The lower flammability limit of refrigerant is saved in the storage unit 13 in advance.

In formula (I), variable h is the leakage height (m) of the room 3. The leakage height of the room 3 is a height position at which a refrigerant may leak from the air conditioning system 50 in the room 3. The leakage height of the room 3 is a position based on the height position of the floor of the room 3. The leakage height of the room 3 varies depending on the type of the indoor unit 52 installed in the room 3. For example, in the case of the type of the indoor unit 52 embedded in the ceiling of the room 3, the leakage height of the room 3 is the height position of the ceiling of the room 3. Further, in the case of the type of the indoor unit 52 attached to the wall of the room 3, the leakage height of the room 3 is the height position of the air outlet of the indoor unit 52. The leakage height of the room 3 may be preset to a predetermined value according to the size of the room 3 and the type of the indoor unit 52 installed in the room 3. The leakage height h of the room 3 is saved in the storage unit 13 in advance.

In formula (I), variable S is the floor area (m²) of the room 3. The floor area is an area of the bottom surface of a prism when the space shape of the room 3 is regarded as the prism. Here, the prism is a quadrangular prism, a cylinder, or the like. The control unit 12 takes in room space information related to the internal space of the room 3 from the outside and acquires the floor area of the room 3 based on the room space information. The storage unit 13 stores the floor area acquired by the control unit 12. For example, the room space information is drawing data of the room 3, image data obtained by scanning a printed drawing of the room 3 using the image scanner that is the external input device 20, and image data obtained by capturing the state of the inside of the room 3 using the camera that is the external input device 20. The room space information or the floor area S of the room 3 is saved in the storage unit 13 in advance.

The support unit 12c determines that it is necessary to divide or change a refrigerant system or to install a safety device in the refrigerant system when the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system is larger than the retention allowable amount calculated by formula (I). As a result, the user of the support system 100 can appropriately determine whether to divide or change a refrigerant system or to install a safety device in the refrigerant system in order to satisfy the safety standard requirement in the case of refrigerant leakage into the room 3, according to the properties of the refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system. In particular, the support system 100 is useful for satisfying the safety standard requirement in the case where a flammable refrigerant such as R32 leaks into the room 3.

(4-3) Modification C

In the support system 100, the support unit 12c that executes the second support processing presents candidates for the connection state of a refrigerant system after update when it is determined that a refrigerant system before update needs to be divided. Next, a specific example of division of a refrigerant system will be described.

FIG. 7(a) is an example of a refrigerant system. FIG. 7(b) is an example of refrigerant systems generated by dividing the refrigerant system of FIG. 7(a) by executing the second support processing. In FIG. 7(a), one refrigerant system S1 is used in one room 3. The refrigerant system S1 includes one outdoor unit 51a and four indoor units 52a to 52d. The four indoor units 52a to 52d are installed in the same room 3.

Since the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system S1 in FIG. 7(a) exceeds the allowable refrigerant amount, the refrigerant system is divided as shown in FIG. 7(b). In FIG. 7(b), two refrigerant systems S1a and S1b are used in one room 3. The refrigerant system S1a includes one outdoor unit 51a and two indoor units 52a and 52b. The refrigerant system S1b includes one outdoor unit 51b and two indoor units 52c and 52d. In this case, the outdoor unit 51b is newly installed.

In the example shown in FIG. 7(b), it is preferable that the loads of the two refrigerant systems S1a and S1b are equalized as much as possible. To be specific, it is preferable that the refrigerant system is divided such that the load of each of the refrigerant systems S1a and S1b after division is half the load of the refrigerant system S1 before division.

(4-4) Modification D

In the support system 100, the support unit 12c that executes the second support processing presents candidates for the connection state of a refrigerant system after update when it is determined that a refrigerant system before update needs to be changed.

In the present modification, a plurality of indoor units 52 belonging to a plurality of refrigerant systems is installed across a plurality of rooms. Further, the refrigerant system is changed such that a part of the plurality of indoor units 52 belonging to a first refrigerant system belongs to a second refrigerant system. In this case, the support unit 12c presents the candidates for the connection state of the refrigerant system after update such that the second refrigerant system has a smaller number of indoor units 52 belonging thereto or a smaller amount of charged refrigerant than the first refrigerant system. Next, a specific example of change of a refrigerant system will be described.

FIG. 8(a) is an example of refrigerant systems. FIG. 8(b) is an example of refrigerant systems generated by changing the refrigerant systems of FIG. 8(a) by executing the second support processing. In FIG. 8(a), two refrigerant systems S1a and S1b are used in three rooms 3a to 3c. The refrigerant system S1a includes one outdoor unit 51a and four indoor units 52a to 52d. The refrigerant system S1b includes one outdoor unit 51b and one indoor unit 52e. The indoor units 52a to 52c are installed in the room 3a. The indoor unit 52d is installed in the room 3b. The indoor unit 52e is installed in the room 3c. The capacities of the rooms 3a to 3c are the largest in the room 3a and the smallest in the room 3b.

In FIG. 8(a), it is assumed that the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system S1a does not exceed the retention allowable amount of the room 3a and exceeds the retention allowable amount of the room 3b. Further, in FIG. 8(a), it is assumed that the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system S1b does not exceed the retention allowable amount of the room 3c. In this case, when a refrigerant leaks from the refrigerant system S1a into the room 3b, there is a possibility that the amount of the refrigerant that has leaked into the room 3b exceeds the retention allowable amount of the room 3b. Therefore, the refrigerant system S1a does not satisfy the safety standard requirement in the case of refrigerant leakage. Further, the refrigerant system S1b satisfies the safety standard requirement.

In this case, in order to satisfy the safety standard requirement of the refrigerant system S1a, the refrigerant system is changed from the state shown in FIG. 8(a) to the state shown in FIG. 8(b). To be specific, the refrigerant system to which the indoor unit 52d installed in the room 3b belongs is changed from the refrigerant system S1a to the refrigerant system S1b. After the change of refrigerant system, the refrigerant system S1a includes three indoor units 52a to 52c, and the refrigerant system S1b includes two indoor units 52d to 52e.

In FIG. 8(b), since the number of indoor units 52 belonging to the refrigerant system S1b is smaller than the number of indoor units 52 belonging to the refrigerant system S1a, the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system S1b is smaller than the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system S1a. Therefore, since the amount of refrigerant that has leaked from the refrigerant system S1b into the room 3b does not exceed the retention allowable amount of the room 3c when the amount of refrigerant does not exceed the retention allowable amount of the room 3b, the refrigerant system S1b satisfies the safety standard requirement in the case of refrigerant leakage. Further, the refrigerant system S1a satisfies the safety standard requirement.

In the example shown in FIG. 8(b), it is preferable that the loads of the two refrigerant systems S1a and S1b are equalized as much as possible. Further, like the refrigerant system S1a of FIG. 8(a), when a plurality of indoor units 52 is installed separately in a plurality of rooms 3a to 3c and the number of indoor units 52 installed in each of the rooms 3a to 3c is different, the refrigerant system to which the indoor unit 52 installed in a room with the smallest number of units belongs is changed in order to reduce the cost required for changing the refrigerant system. For example, the cost required for changing the refrigerant system includes the cost required for rearranging the refrigerant pipe 53.

Further, when the number of indoor units 52 installed in each of the rooms 3a to 3c is the same, for example, the refrigerant system to which the indoor unit 52 installed in the room 3a to 3c having a small floor area or capacity belongs is preferentially changed. As a result, the refrigerant system to which the indoor unit 52 installed in a room with a high risk of not satisfying the safety standard requirement in the case of refrigerant leakage belongs is preferentially changed.

Further, when a refrigerant system to which the indoor unit 52 belongs is changed, it is preferable that the refrigerant system to which the indoor unit 52 belongs is determined such that the cost required for changing the refrigerant system is minimized, based on the arrangement and capacity of the plurality of rooms 3a to 3c in which the plurality of indoor units 52 is installed, and the installation position of the refrigerant pipe 53.

When the refrigerant system after change still does not satisfy the safety standard requirement in the case of refrigerant leakage, the refrigerant system after change may be divided as in modification C. In the case of FIG. 8(b), when the amount of refrigerant charged in the refrigerant system S1b after change exceeds the retention allowable amount of the room 3b, the refrigerant system S1b may be divided such that the indoor unit 52d belongs to a new refrigerant system. In this case, the amount of refrigerant charged in the new refrigerant system does not exceed the retention allowable amount of the room 3b.

(4-5) Modification E

The user of the support system 100 can determine the type of devices such as the outdoor unit 51, the indoor unit 52, and the refrigerant pipe 53 belonging to a refrigerant system based on the information presented by the support unit 12c. The support system 100 may further include a function for automatically ordering a device determined by the user. In this case, for example, the support system 100 is connected to a system, a web site, and the like for ordering the devices of the air conditioning system 50 via a network.

As described above, the disclosed system provides a crucial technical improvement over prior art methods by automatically performing a multi-step analysis that was previously impractical to do manually. When a proposed update is found to be non-compliant (i.e., the calculated charged refrigerant amount exceeds the allowable amount), the control unit does not simply flag the error. Instead, the control unit automatically generates and presents concrete, physically realizable solutions by executing specific processing routines, such as a ‘first support processing’ routine that systematically identifies alternative system components (e.g., outdoor units, indoor units, or pipes with different specifications) to reduce the refrigerant charge while maintaining capacity, or a ‘second support processing’ routine that computationally remodels the system, e.g., by generating a design plan to divide a single non-compliant system into multiple smaller, compliant systems.

This process generates one or more candidate refrigerant systems that are verified to be compliant. By generating these actionable design plans, the system reduces computational overhead, eliminates manual iteration errors, and enables the user to select an optimal, cost-effective, and safe system configuration, thereby providing a significant improvement in the field of air conditioning system engineering.

While the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, it will be understood that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 12 CONTROL UNIT
  • 12a CALCULATION UNIT
  • 12b FIRST ACQUISITION UNIT
  • 12f FIRST DETERMINATION UNIT
  • 12c SUPPORT UNIT
  • 12d SECOND ACQUISITION UNIT
  • 12e SECOND DETERMINATION UNIT
  • 51 OUTDOOR UNIT
  • 52 INDOOR UNIT
  • 53 REFRIGERANT PIPE
  • 100 SUPPORT SYSTEM

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• • Patent Literature 1: JP H08-94150 A